Dry cell



Oct. 23 1923.

Ayc. JEWETT DRY CELL Filed July l. 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet l #jail nvfu foi.

H or nu l;

(Lic. 153, 1923. 1,471,486

A. c. JEwr-:Tr

DRY CELL Filed July l. 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 OGL 23, 1923.

1,471,486 A. c. JEwE-r-r DRY CELL Fied Juiy M 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet. 3

Uilm lo@ Patented Oct. 23, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE-.-A

IHUR C. JEWETT, OF NEW HAVEN. CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO WINCHESTEB RE- PEATING ARMS COMIANY, 0F NEW HAVEN,- CONNECTICUT.

DRY CELL.

Application led July 1,

To all w71 om it may concern Be it knou'n that l, AuTut'R C. Jnwiz'rfr, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of New Haven, county of New Haven, and State of Connecticut. have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dry Cells, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to dry cells and more particularly to those in which a body of suitable depolarizing material surrounds the carbon pencil or other central electrode. The invention also has special reference to dry cells of the sti-called miniature type, such as lised in connection ivith hand lamps and pocket flash-lights. It is not limited, however. to this particular application.

In galvanic dry cells ot the Leclancli t pe, it has been c'omlnon practice to enclose the'depolarizing mass, bod) or cartridge in an envelope or cover ot biluilous material, usually of cotton fabric such cheese-cloth. This material is commonly applied to the cartridge in the form ot' a strip which is folded or wrapped around the cartridge and held in place by threads or the like Wound about the chcesecloth and tied in place. This method of wrapping has serious draw.- backs, owing to the lact that the operation is a. tedious one requiring considerable eX- perience and Skill. The wrapping of the fabric is in itself a somewhat dillicult operation and the tying of the string or thread is an additional operation which must follow the wrajiping and which usually involves the passing of the thread around the cartridge both transversely and longitudinally a multiplicity of times. The cartridge is usually cylindrical in shape and it is a diicult matter fully and securely to enclose in Wrapping strip a cylindrical object. As a. consequence of these conditions the wrapping of the cartridges has been expensive, it has been difficult to obtain the necessary skilled labor, and in many cases the character of the work done has not been satisfactory.

One of the primary objects of the present invention is to overcome these disadvantages and drawbacks. By my invention I provide, among other things,- a bibulous or absorbent cartridge wrapper comprising a plurality of closely set threads or strands snugly conforming to the cartridge so that the wrapper fits the latter neatly. The wrap- 1920. Serial No. 393,335.

per preferably consists of a plurality of cotton threads or the like that cross each other at an angle and are held under slight tension so as to confine the depolarizing mass securely. These threads may constitute for example, a braided, woven, knit or wound jacket which can be readily applied. The Wrapper is preferabl formed directly on the cartridge and can e placed on the latter without the objections to which l have referred; and it serves very efficiently in the functioning of the cell. B my in vention, also, the wrapping can be done very expeditiously by labor not possessin a high degree of skill, and the cartri ges may be Wrapped or jackcted in a more secure and uniform manner than heretofore.

By forming the wrapper or jacket directly on the cartridge, a separate operation for positioning a ready-made fabric is obviated, as Well as the operation of securing such a wrapper in place. By my invention the cover or jacket automatically conforms to the cartridge so that the former is held on the cartrid e with a considerable degree of security ant` forms in effect an integral part of the cartridge, obviating to a large extent at least the necessity of-furnishin additional sccuring means. lVhen assem )led in the .cell the cover or jacket of the cartridge is effectively held against displacement or raveling.

To these and other ends the invention consists in the novel features and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

ln the accompanying drawing:

Fig. l is a vertical central section of a dry cell embodying my improvements;

Fig. 2 is a detail elevation of the naked cartridge.

Fig. 3 is a detail elevation of the cartridge as itl appears after wrapping;

Fig. 4 is a bottom View of the cartridge shown in Fig. 3.

Figs. 5 and 6 are fragmentar elevations of cartridges of somewhat modified orm;.

Fig. 7 is an elevation of a cartridge having a cover consisting of braided flat strips or ta pes;

Fig. 8 is an elevatio.1 of a cartridge of somewhat modified form;

Fig. 9 is an elevation of another form of braided cartridge;

Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the cartridge shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a detail of one of the end caps; Fig. 12 is an elevation of a cartridge having) woven jacket;

ig. 13 is a similar view of a cartridge having 'a knit jacket.

Fig. 14 is a similar view of a cartridge having a wound jacket; and

Figs. 15 and 16 are a top and a bottom View respectively of the cartridge shown in Fi 14.

n the dry cell shown in Fig. l., which is of the type commonly employed in' connection with hand lamps, the drawn zinc cup 20, which serves as one of the electrodes, contains a cartridge 21 of suitable depolarizing material surrounding a carbon pencil 22 which constitutes the other electrode. In the case illustrated, the body of depolarizing material adheres to the carbon pencil so that the latter forms ari-integral part of the cartridge 21. The cartridge is of less height than the cup and the encil extends upwardly out of the cartri ge through a suitable top closure for the cell. In the form shown, the cartridge is centered at its lower end within the zinc cup by means of a centering disk 23 which may be conveniently made of paper impregnated with paraffin or the like. A .body of paste 24:4 surrounds the cartridge in the space between the side surface thereof and the side wall of the cup, such paste servin as a carrier or vehicle for the electrolyte. n top of the cartridge and overlying the paste is a paraffin impregnated paper washer 25 having a central opening whereb it is fitted about the upper end of the car on pencil. The upper end of the cell may be closed in any convenient manner, for example by a pitch seal 26 located within the upper end of the zinc cup on top of a cupped paper washer 27. -On top of the carbon pencil is the usual contact cap 28.

The paste 24 preferably extends upwardly approximately to the level of the upper snrface of the cartridge and the washer 25 is fitted about the pencil so as to rest against the top of the cartridge. At its periphery the washer overlies the paste and forms a yielding enclosure therefor which may be shifted upwardly somewhat by gas pressure when gas is generated in the cell, so as to allow the gas to pass into the gas space 29 between the upper and lower paper washers,

The cartridge of depolarizing material may consist for example of a mixture of finely divided manganiferous and carbonaceous material moistened with water and containing a certain amount of electrolvte material such as ammonium chlorid. The paste 24 may contain wheat flour, for example, a suitabledeliquescent substance such as zinc chlorid, and an amalgamating substance S2911 as mercurio chlorid.

In the fo m shown in/F-ig. 1, the cartridge 21 is provided with/a'tubular fabric cover or jacket, which is so placed on the cartridge that the cover or jacket will be held firmly thereon and form practically an integral part thereof. The jacket, which serves as a substitute for the cheese-cloth wrapper commonly employed, fits the ca'rtridge snugly and conforms to the same, and this may be effected very satisfactorily by braiding the jacket directly onto the cartridge.

It will be observed from Fig. 3, which shows in detail the cartridge of Fig. l. that the cartridge i`s provided with a snug braided jacket 30. This jacket is preferably braided directly on the cartridge. It has a tubular structure with an enlarged portion or body ti htly hugging the cylindrical side surface o? the cartridge, and with upper and lower end portions conforming respectively to the flat upper and lower end surfaces of the cartridge. At the top, the braided cover extends over the fiat face of the cartridge approximately to the upwardly projecting carbon pencil, and initially the braided fabric may have a `neck portion 31 extending upwardly more or less aroundl and conforming more or less closely to the carbon pencil, this neck portion 31 being cut oil' at the top. In the operation of braiding, the threads, which may be the ordinary cotton threads, will be somewhat more closely woven about the pencil at. the neck or collar portion 3l than in the body portion of the jacket. The jacket is also open at the central `part of the lower end thereof, as indicated at 32. The jacket 30 may be so braided on the cartridge as initially to enclose the Whole of the projecting end of the carbon pencil, and to extend considerably beyond the bottom part of the cartridge, likewise, it being subsequently severed along transverse lines so as to form the neck portions 31 and 32. Considerable variation may be made in these and other respects, however, withoutdigressing from the principle of the inven-` tion or sacrificing the advantages thereof.

When the cartridge is placed in the dry cell the bottom centering washer 23 is positioned Vover the lower surface of the cartridge and lies in close contact with the same. The nec-k portion 3.2 is thereby somewhat flattened out. the same preferably being of such size that it will flatten out in the space between the bottom of the cartridge and the upper surface of the bottom centering washer without appreciably increasing the total length of the cartridge with the bottom centering washer applied to the same. Of course, the washer 23 may be applied to the cartridge directly after the latter has been jacketed. The washer, which is of cupped shape, conforms closely to the bottom part of the cartridge so as to hug the Samoa/nd after it has onee'becn positioned thereon there will be no ravelmg or' the threads of the jacket at the lowel` part thereof. The'conditions at the top of the cartridge are somewhat similar, the. neck portion .':ll of the bruided jacket boing flattened down and held in a flattened condition bij the washer or a similar element which abats the cartridge at the upper surface of the latter und holds the cartridge in place. lt will be obvious that after as soir-.blogo ol the cell there will be no revelol the fabric jacket either at the top or bottom, where the only free ends of the threads are located. ln other Words, the Washer 23 maintains the jacket in place at the bottom, and the Washer 25 maintains it in place et the, top.

In Fig. ti. l have shown a somewhat different lorin of cartridge. which is tapered at the upper end, as shown nt 33. This does away with the abrupt shoulder and hence the change in diameter ot the cover is less sudden or abrupt. .The cartridge may also be provided at its lower end vwith a similar' beveled or tapered surface (not. shown).

'In the form shown in Fig. 6. the end portion of the cartridge is gradually reduced in diameter on e. curve, :is shown at 34. instead of et an angie.

ln the form shown in Fig. 7. the elements of which the jacket is composed are flat strips or tapes instead ot' round threads. This is another form of braided jacket. Any suitable tape or ribbon may be employed for this purpose. The interstices ol the jacket are about the same size as in the form shown in Fig- 3, but obviously variations miv be made in this regard as celled lor by ditl'erent conditions.

In the forni shown in .Fiend braiding is facilitated by proi-'idingr the cartridge with end caps 36 before the saine is braided. These end caps ma)Y consist advantageously ot' paper disks und they may hc provided with peripheral indent-ations 3T which position the elements of the braided cover, as shown.

ln thetorm shown in Fles. S) and 10. the longitudinal axsor Center line of the. cover is displaced somewhat relativelyr to the axis of the cartridge. This causes the opening or neck EN at one end of the cover to he located at one side ol' the carbon pencil. while the neck Iii et the other end of tbe cartridge is loe-ded :it the opposite. side ot the cartridge axis. ln this purticular case. end disks 36 siinilai to those shown in Fig.' 8 are eniploved. but this is not essential. lt has been found in practice that it. is advantageous to place the curtridgc. in the braided cover at a slight angle in this manner, because in this euse the neck 38 .may be more refidil)7 flattcncd down against the top of the cartridge than in the case where such neck is interiorly supported bj; the carbon pencil. By offsetting the jacket so that the upper neck or extremitv thereof is eccentrically located with reference to the electrode. the said neck or extremity may be flattened down so thatit takes up practically no more space endwise. of the cartridge than is occupied by the. other threads or tapes passing over thc upper cartridge surface. This particular forni (Fig. 9) also primarily intended lor use with Washers above and below. respectively. the cartridge. approximately as shown 1u Fig. l, but it will be understood that such Washers are not necessary in all cares.

It will be understood that in all the forms previously described the tubular braided jacket is placed on the cartridge snugly, the threads being under tension. The braidingr tension such that the threads of the jacket arc quite tight and conform closely to the cartridge exterior so as to prevent any appreciable displacement ot" the depolarizing material if the dcoolarizing body becomes cracked or chipped. In braiding;` the cnrtridefe, a thread oi' No. 2U cotton has been emp o ved with good results. The intcrstices between the threads on the cylindrical side surface ot the cartridge body may bc fairly large. Where the cartridge is braided the)v are rhomboidal in shape. and in braidiin.r a cartridge for a No. 5 cell. the minor axis of the rhonib muy be say a scout 11,! ot` un inch, the major axis beingr a scant l: of au inch. Good results have been obtained in this wav. but various modifications will be found useful. The nlinor axes of the llioinboidul interstices are in line with the longitiulinul cartridge axis except where the tartridec is introduced into the braid :it :in angle. as explained in connection with 'hip'. 9.

In the. modilication shown in Fig. l2. the jacket 40 consists of woven strands of cotton thread or the like. It extends over the end faces of the cartridge and may be applied by a suitable wearing` machine. I

In Fig. 13. l have illustrated havin a knitted juckct 41.

In lgs. 14, 15 and 16 there is shown a jacket 42 formed by a thread wound about the cartridge to present a multiplicity of closely set strands. This is what l term a cord jacket. The strands are arranged ,in one or more layers. illustrated, there are two layers over substantiallfvY the whole side surface 0f the cartridge. The thread is wound at a slight angie to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge in thisl particular instance. but va riation may be made in that respect. This` cord wrapping' may be applied readily to the cartridge by a method and nlachincset forth respectively in other applications. 1Where there is more than one layer of strands, those in different layers are. arranged at diil'ercut angles so that the strands of one layer cross those of the next layer, as

a cartridge positionel ln the eiubtuliinentl dei' Slight tension and hugging the depolar- .izing material quite closely. The strands are .so closely set ns to serve the function of a fabric. whether or not what is technically called a fabric is employed, and the jacket is shaped by its application to the lines of the cartridge no as to follow them closely. The jacket `may he readily applied to the cartridge by suitable machines, with a great saving ot' time and labor as compared to the ciistoinary methods now in use.

Yarioiis changes in the details may be made without departing from the scope of my invention, as set forth in the claims.

l do not claim herein the method of covering a drv cell cartridge which comprises enveloping thc saine by direct application of ii multiplicity of textile strands under tension. as claimed No. 393,336. tiled July l. 1920.

ll'liat l claim is:

i. A dry cell cartridge having a tubular cover. the axis of which is displaced relatively to the axis of the cartridge wlierebv thc ends of the cover are positioned Without, the longitudinal axis of the cartridge.

dry cell cartridge having a snugly litting cover formed ot' a plurality of separate strands. and means independent of the cartridge for positioning the strands relatively to each other.

3. A dry cell, having a cartridge of depolarizing material, with a smooth snugly conforming Self'contained tubular fabric jin-liet formed directly on the same, said jacket being adapted to retain its form if the cartridge is removed therefrom.

4. A dry cell, having a cartridge of dcpoliiriaing nniteiiiil, with a smooth snugly conforming self-contained tubular fabric jacket formed directly on the saine, and extending over the ends thereof; Said jacket having a tubular form independently of the cart ridge.

A depoliirizing cartridge for dry cells, having ii snugly formed braided jacket tliercoi. Said jacket having open but contracted cnd necks extending longitudinally of the cartridge at the upper and lowcil portions thereof.

G. ln a dry cell, a zinc cup, a carbon pen cil therein, a body lof depolariz'ing material surrounding the pencil within the cup, a tulniliir fabric jacket formedtlirectly on the in my application, Serial ,lower ends, means at the ends of the cartridge for preventing ravcling of tbe jacltet, a body of paste interposed between the side wall of the cup and the side surface of the cartridge, and a closure for the upper end of .the cell.

8. ln a dry cell, a zinc cup, a carbon pencil therein, a depolarizing cartridge siiirounding the pencil within the cup, a tu biilar braided jacket enclosing the cartridge and having a contracted open lower end neck extending longitudinally of the cai'- tridge, and a body of paste inter osed hetween the side wall of the cup an the side surface of the cartridge.

9. In a dry cell, a zinc cup, a carbon pencil therein. a depolarizing cartridge surrounding the encil within the cup, a tubular braided jacket enclosing the cartridge. and having a., contracted open lowei1 end Til til)

neck extending longitudinally of the cartridge. a body of paste interposed between the side wall of the cup and the side sin-face of the cartridge, and a centering washer titting over the bottom of the jacket cartridge to center the same in the bottom of the zinc cup.

10. A dry cell cartridge having a tubular fabric cover thereon with open, but contrat-ted, end necks extending longitudinally ot' the cartridge.

ll. A dry cell cartrid e having a tubular fabric cover thereon wit` an open but con tracted end neck extending longitudinally iit one end thereof.

l2. A dry cell cartridge having a body and a projecting pencil, and a tubular cover for the body, having a contracted open end disposed at one side of the. pencil.

13. In a dry cell, a cartridge of de olariz ing material, having a snugly con lorininr jacket consistingnf a single layer of crossei textile strands formed directly on the cartridge in contact with the depolaiizing ma teriel. l

In witness whereof, 1 ha e hereunto set. my hand on the 29thday of une, 1920.

ARTHUR C. JEWETT, 

